Staff Profile
Dr Irma Melunovic
Lecturer in Forensic Psychology
/prod01/yorksjacuk/media/content-assets/staff-profile-images/staff_profiles_march_2025-020_copy-3.jpg)
I am a Lecturer in Forensic Psychology, with a primary research interest in the area of suspect and forensic child interviewing and individual differences. I have obtained an MSc degree in Forensic Psychology from Maastricht University in the Netherlands and a BSc degree in Behavioural Neuroscience from the University of British Columbia in Canada. I completed my PhD at Edge Hill University on the topic of suspect interviewing and rapport building. I have spent several years working as a research and clinical associate at a high-secure psychiatric hospital in England, where I delivered anti-aggression therapy to high-risk patients and formulated the risk of serious violence for patients with complex mental health needs, using recognized risk assessment tools. I am also trained as a hostage and crisis negotiator. I am currently involved with the Implemendez COST action aimed at implementing Mendez principles of effective interviewing in Europe and beyond, with the aim of preventing torture and violation of human rights of suspects in police custody.
- School – School of Education, Language and Psychology
- Email – i.melunovic@yorksj.ac.uk
- Research - View my work in RaY
Further information
Teaching
I teach undergraduate modules in the BSc Forensic Psychology course. I am currently contributing to the following modules:
- PSY4017M: Psychology at Work
- PSY6008M: Investigative Psychology
- PSY6016M: Theoretical Perspectives on Offending Behaviour
- PSY6029M: Victims and the Criminal Justice System
- PSY6030M: Perspectives on Crime
Research
My research focuses on exploring how individual and personality characteristics of a police officer affect rapport-building and the investigative interviewing outcomes of suspects. Specifically, my focus lies in understanding the personality interactions between suspects and interviewers throughout the interview process, and how these interactions affect rapport and the overall outcomes. Within this research, I am interested in exploring both adaptive and maladaptive characteristics, including traits associated with the Five Factor Personality and Dark Triad model, and examining the advantages and disadvantages they present for investigative interviewing. I am also currently conducting research in forensic child interviewing in relation to human trafficking and war crimes investigations.
In addition to this primary area of focus, I have also undertaken research in different fields of forensic psychology, including hostage negotiation, relational security within prison and mental health services, and the long-term psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on both staff and patients within high-secure services.
Publications and conferences
Journals
Levtova, Y., Melunovic, I., Mead, C. L., & Ireland, J. L. (2024). First insights into post-pandemic distress in a high secure hospital: correlates among staff and patients. The Journal of Forensic Practice, 26(1), 31-45.
Melunovic, I., Ireland, C. A., & Ireland, J. L. (2025). Contributing factors to aggressive incidents in correctional and forensic psychiatric care: a rapid evidence assessment. The Journal of Forensic Practice.
Book chapters
Thomas, B. R., Melunovic, I., & Dunlap, K. (2024). The Science of the Swifties: fandom, friendship bracelets & easter eggs. In R. Kowert (Ed), The Psychgiest of PopCulture: Taylor Swift. Play Story Press. https://doi.org/10.17613/1wcfb-wmv45
Conferences
Melunovic, I., Humphries, J., Wall.,H. (2021). The Role of Individual Characteristics on Investigative Interviewing: A Systematic Review. Poster presentation at International Investigative Interviewing Research Group (iIIRG) Conference, University of Winchester, in Winchester, United Kingdom.
Melunovic, I., Humphries, J., Wall.,H. (2022). Qualitative Exploration of Police Officer’s Perceptions on the Role of Personality in Investigative Interviewing. Paper presented at the European Association of Psychology and Law (EAPL) conference, University of Babeș-Bolyai, in Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Melunovic, I., Humphries, J., Wall.,H. (2022). The Role of Individual Characteristics and Interviewer-Suspect Personality Interactions on Investigative Interviewing Success: A Mock Interview Study. Symposium presentation at European Association of Psychology and Law (EAPL) conference, Egaz Moniz School of Health and Science, in Almada, Portugal.
Melunovic, I., Veldhuizen-Ochodničanová, E., Dando, C., Pompedda, F., Douglass., M. D., Pajon Moreno, L., & Vanderhallen, M. (2025). From Conflict to Courtroom: Embedding the Mendez Principles in Eastern European Investigations of War Crimes. Symposium Presentation European Association of Psychology and Law (EAPL) conference, Mykolas Romeris University, in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Professional activities
I am currently an active member of COST Action Implemendez which aims to integrate and implement Mendez principles of effective interviewing across Europe and beyond. This action aims to facilitate multi-disciplinary collaborations between researchers, practitioners, policy-makers, and legal representatives to combat coercive interrogation strategies and advocate for the use of rapport-based techniques that uphold human rights and protect individuals from torture and wrongful convictions. Within this action, I am co-leading a project that aims to embed Mendez principles into war crime and human trafficking investigations in Eastern Europe concerning separated and unaccompanied children.
I occasionally provide peer reviews for the Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, the Journal of Criminological Research, Policy and Practice, and the Journal of Aggression, Conflict, and Peace Research.
